Continued Hunger Strike of Manouchehr Fallah, Political Prisoner, in Lakan Prison, Rasht

Reports from Iran indicate that the hunger strike of Manouchehr Fallah, a political prisoner in Lakan Prison in Rasht, continues amid his deteriorating physical condition. Previously, the human rights organization "Hengaw" reported on Thursday, August 25, that Mr. Fallah has been on hunger strike since August 1 in protest against his "uncertainty" and the new charges brought against him. According to this report, Manouchehr Fallah, from Rasht, has been sentenced by the Islamic Republic's judiciary to a total of 22 months and 17 days of imprisonment. In this context, Arash Sadeghi, a former political prisoner, wrote on social media "X" on Friday, August 26, that Manouchehr Fallah's health is "not good given his multiple previous health issues." Earlier, Hengaw had reported, citing "received reports," that the physical condition of this political prisoner is "concerning" and prison authorities consider him responsible for the hunger strike of five other prisoners and have pressured him. The report indicates that Ahmad Darvish Gofteh, the court judge, has referred the case back to the investigator following the attribution of the charges of "Moharebeh and Baghi" to Manouchehr Fallah. The charge of "Baghi" can lead to the death penalty or long-term imprisonment. This judge of the first branch of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht told Manouchehr Fallah's lawyer: "His charge is Moharebeh or Baghi. The prosecutor and the court have made a mistake, and I am returning the case to the prosecutor's office to be redefined under one of these categories." Meanwhile, five of his fellow inmates named Eisa Choulandidim, Hooman Taheri, Jamshid Aziz, Sasan Khanzadeh, and Mohammad Miri have also gone on hunger strike in solidarity with Manouchehr Fallah since Sunday, August 21. In this context, Aziz Qasemzadeh, a teachers' union activist who was recently released from prison after battling cancer, wrote in a note on his Telegram channel that his condition "is not very good given his previous stomach issues." This former teacher's union activist and prisoner pointed to the "unfair judicial process" faced by Manouchehr Fallah, adding: "In September 2023, a bail of 400 million tomans was issued for Fallah. This bail was secured, and the legal processes for Manouchehr Fallah's release were completed, and even a celebration for his release was held in the ward, but unfortunately, this did not happen, and he was prevented from being released." He added: "These days, coinciding with his hunger strike, his bail has suddenly increased to 5 billion tomans. It was expected that after months of uncertainty, the process would move forward, but the knots for Manouchehr Fallah have become more and more entangled." Manouchehr Fallah was arrested by the security forces of the Islamic Republic at Rasht Airport in July of last year and was later transferred to the Misaq Ward of Lakan Prison in this city. In December of last year, he was sentenced by the third branch of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasakhi, to one year, three months, and one day of imprisonment for "insulting" the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and to seven months and sixteen days of imprisonment for "propaganda against the government."